Motivational Speaker

Glenda Watson Hyatt shares her
experiences living with cerebral palsy to
motivate and inspire others to think about
how they perceive their own situation and
their own world around them. She does all
this by typing with only her left thumb!

Having returned from Las Vegas last Monday and heading to Castlegar this Friday, traveling with a physical disability is possible, even though extra considerations are necessary. Airline staff and fellow travelers, for the most part, are understanding and willing to assist when required. God willing, I reach my destination.

However, for people with invisible disabilities, such as autism, the need for assistance and accommodation is not obvious. Even with all of the preparations in place, a trip may still need to be aborted at the last moment like Barbara Hines’ heart-wrenching story about trying to go on a well-deserved and much-needed family vacation. As Barbara shares in her story, fellow travelers can do much in assisting when traveling with an autistic child. An understanding smile can go a long way in easing the stress of a beleaguered parent facing a sea of judging eyes.

With the incidence of autism on the rise, more and more individuals with autism will be traveling. If you are a frequent traveler, these tips may assist you the next time a stressed out individual needs compassion. If you are a parent, these tips may assist you in preparing for a tip with your child with autism.

These tips are merely a starting point. Feel free to share your tips for traveling with a disability in a comment below.

September 30, 2008 @ 3:35 pm

Glad to hear that you reached your destination safely.
Thank you for the links to the tips about travelling with disabilities (particularly invisible disabilities!).

September 30, 2008 @ 3:37 pm

Interesting article! My son has an ASD (Asperger’s Syndrome) and he’s always been very good when traveling. If we’ve gone anywhere long distance, we usually bring a book or a handheld learning toy, which keeps him 100% occupied!

He did a lot of traveling between Michigan (where we live now) and Dayton, Ohio (where I went to college) when I was going to school. His grandmother lived in Michigan and most of his doctors were up here, so his mom often took him by Greyhound between the two places. This was at least a 5 hour trip!

September 30, 2008 @ 6:36 pm

Great post. I think it’s good to remind people that there are invisible difficulties parents face. Whether a child has a disability or not, if a parent is trying to work with a child, I usually give them a smile or try to offer help. I think we’re all in this together, and I might even make a new friend if I’m tolerant of the ways of children.

September 30, 2008 @ 6:46 pm

Hi Glenda. I read about you on Problogger and I posted your video on my blog as well. As a former nurse, let me say that I am so proud of all that you have achieved! You make my heart burst! You could easily give in to your disability, but instead you are living up to your potential! Thanks for being an inspiration.